Case for tape measures



Dec. 7, 1926. 1,609,852

E. J. WITCHGER CASE FOR TAPE MEASURES Filed Jim@ 25, 1926 maman-mw.. ...-:nnma l lllllllllllllllll/lll l FIG. l Z.

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Patented Dec. 7, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE J. WITCHGER, OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO LUFKIN RULE CO.. 0F

SAGINAW. MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION 0F MICHIGAN.

CASE FOR TAPE MEASURES.

Application filed June 25,

This invention is a case for tape measures and pertains to that general type of tape measure case now in common use, 1n which the tape is enclosed by a part of d1sk-l1ke metal covers which are in turn overlaid by a covering of leather, fibre or similar material. The metal covers usually have flanged rims and are assembled so that the two rim edges meet and form a complete box-like container for the tape. The meeting edges of the fabric cover are commonly stitched together 1n a seam that runs around the rim and holds the top and bottom plate members of the case together.

The improvement that I now contribute to the art, and the inventive novelty as set forth in the claims is found in the construction andv arrangement of the flanged portions of the top and bottom plates and in an improved means including a flat band, wherebv the fabric covering is tightly stretched and clamped upon the circular annularly grooved and internally beaded rim that is associated with the said flanges of the cover plates.

An object of my invention is to clamp the edges of the fabric tightly and to stretch the material like a drum head, by means of a flat clamping band that has its outer face flush with the outer faces of the fabric, so that no projecting rim or ridge is formed, and the exterior surface of the completed case is smooth.

Another object is to so form the band in which the peripheral groove is formed that it shall of itself act as a clamping or locking device for holdin the top and bottom plates of the case toget er, without, as heretofore, depending entirely upon the stitching of the outer fabric covering.

In my device the rim structure of the case provides its own means for locking the cover plates together, even before the outer fabric is applied. In addition, the flat band that constitutes the means for stretching and holding the fabric` to the cover, forms a further or second means for holding the top and bottom cover` members together by uti-v lizing the bindin action of the fabric as heretofore, but without the use of stitched seams.

My improved construction makes it possible to produce a tape cover at very low cost as regards fabricating and assembling. The article has the appearance of an expensive 1926. serial No. 118,502.

hand sewed tape ease, but the flange structure and the cover-fastening features of my invention as above mentioned enable it to be produced in large quantities at a cost considerably less than has heretofore been put upon the cheaper low grade cases. In other words, my improvement enables me to produce a high grade tape case at a cost that is just about equal to the usual cost grade metallic case. a

lVith the foregoing and certain other objects in view, which will appear later in the specification, my invention comprises the devices described and claimed and the equivalents thereof.

In the drawings Fig. l is a part sectional edge view of a form of case made in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form.

Fig. 3 is still a further modified form.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail of one form of binding rim, as in Fig. 2, and of the reinforcing band by which the flanges of the case are held together, the cover fabric omitted.

Fig. 5 is asimilar detailed view of the parts shown in Fig. 3. For purpose of illustration I have omitted the tape from all the views.

In the drawings numeral 1 indicates the top plate and 2 the bottom plate., The top plate is covered by fabric 3 stretched thereon and 4 is a similar piece of fabric covering the bottom plate. The top plate is formed with a peripheral flange 5 and the bottom plate 2 has a similar flange 6. Heretofore it has been customary in tape measure cases' to make the two flanges 5 and 6 alike so that when placed edgeto edge acompleted cylindrical box is formed. The box is, asy has already been stated, usually held together by stitching the edges of the fabric 3 and 4 to forln a seam around the rim of the boX. i

My improved construction differs from the previous arrangement as above described in several important particulars. First, I provide around the periphery of the box a shallowcylindrical inwardly depressed rim or pocket. In the construction of Fig. 1 the two flanges 5 and 6 of the cover plates l and 2 are serrated so that the flange 5, for example, is made with alternately deep los shallow 'and deep portions of flange 6 on the opposite plate 2 `form a serrated or staggered joint. The depressed pocket or rim is formed in the deep portions of the flanges, so that when the flanges are placed together as shown in Fig. 1 the groove 7 will to receive between them an internal bead 7 formed in a separate band 8, the outer edges 8a of this band engaging and gripping the outer shoulders of the flanges 5 and 6. Thus when the top plate 1, bottom plate 2 and inner band 8 are assembled as shown in Fig. 2 the metal case is formed complete,

and the band 8 holds the covers so they can neither come together nor go apart. It is then covered by fabric members 3 and 4, the edges of these members are bound tightly in place in the external groove formed by bead 7 by means of the flat band 9, as in Fig. 1.

InFigs. 3 and 5 I have illustrated a still further modified form which in its main features is the same as that shown in Fig. 2, but in this case the edges 8b of band 8 are made thin andoverlap the flanges 5 and 6. In the construction of Fig. 1 the plates l and 2 are kept apart by means of the sers rated interlocking flange members, but in Figs. 2 and 3 the shallow flanges 5 and 6 are kept separated by the groove member 7". In all three constructions the plain flat band 9 binds the fabric cover members 3 and 4 tightly in place and stretches them by drawing them down into the grooved member 7 or 7a andthe outer face of the band 9 is flush with the face, of the fabric, so that no rim or ridge is left exposed.

It Will be understood that even without the fabric members 3 and 4 or the band 9 the metal part of thecase, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 `vvill be completeand able to Withstand rough usage.

In the ordinary construction of fabric covered tape cases with which I am familiar the metal part of the case can not be held together except by the fabric covering and, therefore, the strength and durability of the case depended largely upon the strength of the 'cover and its stitching, or other method of fastening. It will now tbe readily seen that my improved case is much stronger, is very easily assembled in large quantities and has the appearance of cases that have heretofore been recognized in the trade as being expensive and high grade.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a tape measure case the combination with a flanged top plate and a flanged bottom plate, the edges of said flanges spaced apart, a band applied to the outer faces of the flanges of said plates and formed with an internal bead received between the edges of said flanges, fabric covers for said members, the edges of said covers in the external groove formed by said bead, and a second band received in said groove and adapted to clamp said edges to said first-mentioned band, for the purposes set forth.

2. In a case, the combination with a flanged'top plate and a flanged bottom plate, the edges of said plates spaced apart, a separate peripheral band applied to the outer faces of said fianges, its edges engaging the shoulders of the flanged parts of said plates and its central part formed with an internal bead the side walls of which are engaged by the edges of said flanged plates.

fabric covers for said plates, the edges of said covers in the external groove formed by said bead, and a second band received in said groove and adapted to clamp said fabric covers for the purposes set forth.

3. In a casing, flanged to and bottom plates, the edges of their anges spaced apart, a band formed withan internal bead, the edges of said band engaging. said flanges, said bead received between and Vengaging the edges of said flanges.

4. In a casing flanged top and bottom plates, the edges of their flanges spaced apart, a band secured to said flanges and formed with an internal bead, the edges of said band overlapping said flanges throughout their entire circumference and the edges of said flanges engaging the edges of said bead, for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

EUGENE J. WrroHGER. 

